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Carol Jean Reynolds

1943 - 2024

Carol Jean Reynolds obituary, 1943-2024, Colorado Springs, CO

BORN

1943

DIED

2024

Carol Reynolds Obituary

Reynolds
Carol Jean
Reynolds
August 14, 1943
November 26, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce that Carol Jean Bird Reynolds, 81, passed away on November 26, 2024, following a short but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
Carol was survived by her husband, Randolph M. Reynolds of 62 years, for four days. Together, Carol and Randy were admitted to hospice and had the good fortune to be together in their final days.
Carol is survived by her children: Todd M. Reynolds, Corey A. Reynolds, Merrie-Kate Reynolds and son-in-law, Greg Smith. She adored her grandchildren: Ryan, Logan, Quinn and Taylor Reynolds, Ainsley and Charlie Reynolds-Smith very much. She also dearly loved the recent arrival of her great grandson, Maxwell M. Reynolds.
Carol was born, August 14, 1943, in Denver, Colorado to Dorothy Foster Bird and David Grant Bird. She spent much of her childhood in California, where she met Randy, who was her next-door neighbor and high school sweetheart. Carol and Randy lived in Simi Valley, California where she graduated from Cleveland High School. Carol would tell anyone she met that she was an original "Valley Girl." As a family, they lived in Minnesota, California, and Colorado. The Reynolds family landed in Colorado Springs in 1978. She was very proud of earning her bachelor's (CU Denver) and master's (Lesley University) degrees while also raising her three children. She was the first person in her family to earn a higher education.
She started teaching at Skyway Elementary School, in the Cheyenne Mt. School District in 1979, where she remained a loyal and loving teacher for close to 40 years. She was a champion of childhood literacy and was most proud of her ability to inspire a love of learning for students. She received an abundance of messages from former students crediting her for their life-long love of books and reading. Once you were a student in her classroom, she was forever curious and caring about you and your family. Hey Comets, "We are Skyway, do what's right!" In her honor, she wants us all to remember "there and their, they're not the same thing" and a lot is two separate words.
One of the last things she said to her grandson, shortly before passing, was that she was already in heaven. And by heaven we understood that the sun was shining, it looked like Italy, the Dodgers were pitching a no hitter, and the Broncos were passing balls into the endzone. She was playing tennis, golf or Mah Jong with her friends and going to lunch after. Books were stacked everywhere, and she was already prepared for her beloved book clubs. All of her dogs and cats were there to greet her. And importantly, people were being decent and kind to each other.
We would like to thank the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Pikes Peak Hospice, caregivers and all of her dear friends for their efforts and attention. A celebration of Carol and Randy's life is being planned for the early summer of 2025.
In Lieu of flowers, please give a book you love to a child, friend, or library.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Dec. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Carol Reynolds

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Michele Engle

December 17, 2024

Carol was a wonderful mentor to me in my teaching days, as well as a caring teacher to some of my children. Her dedication and passion will echo in the halls of Skyway forever.
Peace be with her family as they grieve the loss of both Carol and her husband.

Marcia Smith

December 12, 2024

As my dear friend and fellow golfer, I will always have very fond and fun memories. Thank you, Carol.

Barb Stickney Barnett

December 11, 2024

I had Mrs. Reynolds in 3rd grade at Skyway in 1979-80. She remains my favorite teacher to this day, and I'm so grateful that we reconnected a few years ago and I got to tell her that. Her classroom was my safe place at Skyway. Her love for books matched mine, and that helped me feel seen and valued. I have treasured memories from that year in her classroom - making friends, sitting on the floor listening to her read amazing books, making Turkish delight while reading the Narnia books, learning to draw birds, Hink Pinks, and just feeling happy. She touched hundreds and hundreds of lives with her kind guidance and love, and she changed the world as a result. I will never, ever forget her.

Robert

December 8, 2024

Didn´t know her , but what a great story , nice they had there final days together, sounds like 2 Great people who lived full lives, prayers to the family.

Joe & Cindy Lillard

December 8, 2024

A wonderful, caring friend and life example for anyone and everyone.

Emily

December 7, 2024

Mrs.Reynolds was my 5th grade teacher. She was one of the first people who encouraged me to share my opinion and thoughts out loud in front of other people. She fostered my courage and my love of reading. She was funny, loving, and perceptive. What an amazing person! Thank you for sharing this life with us, Mrs. Reynolds!

Margaret Hansen

December 7, 2024

I will miss my friend. Thank you, Kate, for calling me and sharing memories and her peaceful good-bye. Love and sympathy to the whole family.

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